• Expect fees for excessive baggage.antique baggage image by araraadt from Fotolia.com
  
  Luggage rules can vary between one airline and another. Such variations depend on a host of circumstances but may include the type of ticket the traveler has purchased and the traveler's destination. Stipulations exist in regard to the size, quantity and weight of bags and/or carry-on, and in the case of government regulations, what goes in the bag can be restricted as well.
  
  

TSA Restrictions

• The Transportation Security Administration prohibits and/or restricts an extensive list of items either by means of carry-on, check-in or both. Prohibited items fall into the following categories: sharp objects, sporting goods, guns and firearms, tools, martial arts and self-defense items, explosive and flammable materials, disabling chemicals and other dangerous items. As such, sharp items such as box-cutters or scissors, sporting goods such as baseball bats and golf clubs, and tools such as hammers and crow bars are acceptable as check-in baggage only. Others, such as explosive and flammable materials like aerosol and lighter fluid are prohibited from both check-in and carry-on.
  
  

Carry-on Luggage Restrictions

• Airlines tend to apply rules uniformly in regard to carry-on luggage. One bag is allowed as is one personal item, which can be a coat, laptop, purse, diaper bag or the like. The one bag should fit underneath the seat in front of you or the overhead bin, which generally means it cannot exceed 42 in. in length, width and height combined. Generally, two such bags in lieu of a personal item is acceptable, even if carrying a coat. Additionally, baby items such as strollers and car seats do not count toward this two personal item limitation. Any items in excess of the aforementioned will have to be checked.
  
  

Check-In Luggage

• Generally, there is a two-baggage allowance for international flights, with fees incurred for any in excess. This rule can vary by the destination. What is defined as domestic travel can depend on the airline, with some applying domestic luggage rules (meaning one bag with an additional charge for extra, or, no free baggage allowance) to travel between the U.S., Canada and Europe. American Airlines provides no free baggage allowance for domestic Economy class ticketed passengers traveling from within the U.S. or from it to the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and Canada. One free bag is allowed for travel to Europe and India and two for travel to Brazil, Asia and most other destinations. Fees for checked baggage with American Airlines and other carriers are imposed for bags exceeding a weight of 40-70 lbs. with the standard being 50 lbs. (depending on carrier, destination and class of ticket), and for exceeding the prescribed size limitations, usually more than 62 linear inches.